Anticipation

Murphy makes this face when she is so very excited that something good is about to happen. I try so hard to capture it on camera, but she quivers with anticipation and doesn't sit still very long. In my hand was a prized dried roll of codfish skin, her favorite treat.

Today, Murphy and I went for a short walk while William worked out at the gym. The path I chose took us along gravel edged with brush and trees. I was pleased when a small rabbit darted across the path and Murphy drew to attention but did not give chase, taking my arm with her. (I've had the unfortunate images of Monty Python planted in my brain by my husband who thinks that's hilarious.)

A little farther and I hear a woman yelling, "LEAVE IT! LEAVE IT!" Oh, no! Another dog must becoming our way and you just never know if the dog is friendly, on a leash, and/or under control. Murphy is a little too eager yet to meet others of her kind. I listened. "COME HERE NOW!" she continued loudly. "I said COME!" She went on more but I couldn't make it out.

Thinking to myself that this dog is not going to come or leave it if she is yelling in such a mean and mad voice, and surely it must be off leash. I prepared myself...but then heard small voices and laughter. I realized the geography of where we were and that, yes, that is about where the daycare would be next to the public library...on the other side of that brush line. She was not talking to a dog, but to a child!

There are times when I hear an owner talking sweet to their dogs and think if only people could talk to friends and family with the same joy and enthusiasm, this world would be a better place. Perhaps though, we might not forget the phrase, "I wouldn't treat my dog like that" when choosing daycare.